Alila Ventana Big Sur - Inclusive Resort

My husband and I visited Alila Ventana Big Sur for the first time over a weekend for our wedding anniversary and it was absolutely wonderful and magical. The service was top-notch throughout and the resort itself is woven into the redwoods so you feel like everything is integrated well. The gorgeous walking around from one's room (we had a standard suite for our special occasion) to either the Sur House (restaurant), Social House, Spa Alila, etc., was very enjoyable and made for easy exercise. We did one of the complimentary activities (Coast Ridge Hike) and that was lovely. The all-inclusive food at Sur House and for in-room dining are delicious. Alcohol and other specialty items (like mocktails or alcohol-free beer) are not included, which is fine, but note that even though you'll intuitively write-in your own tips on those extra dining costs, they'll also add on their gratuity, so try to avoid double-tipping. Got an amazing couples massage for our wedding anniversary at Spa Alila and the views were jaw-dropping. Our masseuses were great and the cost was reasonable given the fact that it includes the gratuity (they explained it better). We also paid for another activity -- Summit Sips, which is a small-group guided hike where the guide also makes cocktails. Our guide, Riley, took us to a gorgeous beach cove that was a decent hike and not long. So memorable. We will absolutely be back!

We just returned from our second trip here and would not come back. There isn’t a ton to do, but Alila is/was/could be a nice weekend getaway as the surroundings are lovely and peaceful and the dining options are generally good, food-wise. Unfortunately 2/2 of our dinners, which should have been a tranquil, stress free cap to each day, were ruined by unwelcome, overbearing, rude visits to our table by who we can only assume was a busybody, intrusive restaurant manager at Sur House - this individual did not even exercise the decency of introducing at all who she was, so we don’t even know who interrupted our dinner. But certainly neither visit made our, nor anyone else’s, experience better. I have never had the experience of an uninvited anonymous employee come over to patronize us every chance she got. Really unacceptable behavior especially at this price point. Wholly unsatisfied with our last visit here.